Search form

You are here

Governance

1. The Board

2. The Composition of the Board

There are 6 Board Directors nominated by the local constituents of their own campus, area and state support committees. This is a relational structure connecting through these member representatives to the supporters of the ministry, students and staff around the country.

There are 6 Board Directors nominated for their skill set in relevant theological, ministry and business management areas.

3. The Role of the Board

The Board, collectively is responsible and accountable for ensuring and monitoring that the organisation is performing well, is solvent, and complies with all its obligations.

The supporting principles are:

Compliance

The Board must ensure that the organisation complies with its own governing document (Constitution), relevant laws, and the requirements of any regulatory bodies. It is responsible to formulate strategy and major directions for the organization and is accountable to the Vision, Values and Mission of AFES.

Internal Controls

The Board should maintain and regularly review the organisation’s system of internal controls, performance reporting, adopt and update policies and critical procedures. The formation of Policies is critical to this model of governance so that parameters are set to protect the organization’s values and strategy but not to restrict its mode of management.

Prudence

The Board must act prudently to protect the assets and property of the organisation, and ensure that they are used to deliver the organisation’s objectives. Financial accountability is a key role.

Managing Risk

The Board must regularly review the risks to which the organisation is subject, and take action to mitigate risks identified.

Equality and diversity

The Board should ensure that it upholds and applies the principles of equality and diversity, and that the organisation is fair and open to all sections of the community in all of its activities.

Development and Performance

The Board reviews its own performance and integrates training and development.

4. The Board – National Director Relationship

The Board’s responsibility is GOVERNANCE.

The National Director has responsibility for MANAGEMENT of the organization and is free to operate to achieve the agreed objectives of AFES.

The Board holds the National Director responsible for outcomes and can suggest but cannot direct or manage how this is achieved.

The Board should annually review the performance of the National Director.

The Board is responsible for selection and appointment of the National Director.

5. The Board Orientation

It is important to have a reasonably formal induction process, which includes some training for new Board Directors. (Refer to “Orientation of New Board Directors” document)

6. The Board Operations

The Board Directors are elected by the moral owners to represent them to fulfill their governance responsibilities.

Board Directors are ultimately the individuals responsible for the governance and policy directions of the organisation.

The board needs to think through carefully how they will fulfill these governance responsibilities, and are the group of men and women WHO will have the authority and accountability for delivering the ministry vision.

Key tools that strengthen the relational linkage between the moral owners and beneficiaries include:

Membership process and application form

Constitution

Statement of Faith

Vision, Values and Mission Statements

The Annual General Meeting is where the moral owners can experience the results of the ministry by hearing from or about beneficiaries.